The 2026 Latin American Amateur Champion almost quit golf. Now he’s sleeping in the Crow’s Nest where legends rested before him.
Mateo Pulcini came remarkably close to stepping away from competitive golf entirely. The 2026 Latin American Amateur Champion nearly chose a different path, but a crucial conversation with his father changed everything. Now, as an amateur competitor at the Masters, he finds himself walking corridors steeped in golfing history at Augusta National.
In a conversation with Masters host Roger Smith at the iconic Crow’s Nest—the dormitory where amateur competitors and past champions stay during tournament week—Pulcini reflected on his decision to continue pursuing professional golf. “I was going to turn pro right after the World Amateur, or start working,” he explained. “I was going more for the working part, yeah. And my dad told me, like, just wait two more months, play black, and then we’re here. So I’m glad my dad said.”
The Weight of Historic Walls
Standing in the Crow’s Nest, surrounded by photographs and memorabilia of golf’s greatest players, Pulcini grasped the magnitude of his achievement. “What does it feel like to be amongst the greats when you spent that time up here in the Crow’s Nest?” Smith asked. Pulcini’s response captured the moment perfectly: “I was telling my friends, well, I sleep where tigers sleep. I slept in Jack Nicklaus’s bed, and I’m really happy and really proud of myself for what I did.”
The Argentine amateur expressed profound gratitude for how the Masters organization treats its amateur competitors. “How the Masters treat the amateurs, it’s unbelievable,” he said. “It feels good to be treated like the best in the world because you are the best in the world.” He noted that the treatment extended beyond officials to patrons as well, who offered encouragement throughout his rounds. “The patrons are being unbelievable, saying good luck, go Mateo,” Pulcini said. “You feel when you hit a good shot, they clap. Sometimes you’re scared of hitting someone. But those are good nerves.”
Dreams and Unexpected Company
Among the traditional Masters experiences for amateurs, Pulcini discovered he had been assigned a locker room position between two notable players. “I heard that you got an interesting locker position,” Smith mentioned. Pulcini laughed: “Oh, yeah, it’s between my two Thai food heroes, basically. Jordan Spieth and Jess Namath, it’s a dream.”
When asked how he approaches setting expectations at such a prestigious stage, Pulcini demonstrated maturity beyond his years. His focus remained clear and purposeful: “My expectations are to have fun, and then I want to take this experience and try to get better and try to come back as a pro.”
For Pulcini, this Masters appearance represents far more than a single tournament. It represents a choice to persist when doubt crept in, and a validation of his father’s faith in his abilities. As he navigates Augusta National as an amateur, he carries with him the knowledge that he almost walked away—and the determination to return one day as a professional.
The Masters host Roger Smith concluded their conversation with an encouraging sentiment: “You’re going to make Argentina proud regardless, man.”
This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue